Consumer Reports' mission is to work for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect themselves. To accomplish that mission, Consumer Reports relies in large part on our reputation for independence, integrity, and impartiality. Consumer Reports' No Commercial Use policy is intended to preserve that reputation, and to protect our rights as a publisher and information provider.
The No Commercial Use policy is included in the products and information services that Consumer Reports sells or otherwise distributes. The policy is stated in summary form, for example, in the front of every issue of Consumer Reports® magazine, Consumer Reports on Health®, and Consumer Reports Money Adviser(TM); in our Books and Special Interest Publications; on ConsumerReports.org, www.ConsumersUnion.org, and our other websites; and in other products and services of Consumer Reports. The policy is as follows:
Published information from Consumer Reports, including our Ratings and Reports, is intended solely for the benefit of our subscribers and other consumers, in order to help them make informed choices and decisions about consumer products, services, and other consumer matters. Such information may not be used by others in advertising or to promote a company's product or service. In addition, this policy precludes any commercial use of any of Consumer Reports' published information in any form, or of the names of Consumers Union, Consumer Reports, or any other of Consumer Reports' publications or services, without our express written permission.
Unauthorized use of our material may violate multiple legal rights of Consumer Reports. All of Consumer Reports' products are fully protected under the United States Copyright Laws, 17 U.S.C. §§ 101 et seq., and unauthorized copying of, or quoting from, our materials is strictly prohibited. Consumer Reports® and other trademarks of our organization are federally registered trademarks. Advertising that deceptively or falsely misrepresents our findings, or that creates confusion, infringes on our rights under the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C., §§1051 et seq. Such advertising may also contravene our rights under state laws prohibiting false advertising and other unfair trade practices. Furthermore, under §397 of the New York State General Business Law, the use of the names or published results of a nonprofit testing organization, such as Consumer Reports, for advertising or trade purposes is strictly prohibited without obtaining prior written consent.
If Consumer Reports learns that this policy has been violated, it will take all steps necessary to prevent the misuse of its names or of any of its materials, including legal action where appropriate.